NYE Looks 

Hey there lovelies! I know it’s been a while but Ari & I are back in business! For this last post of 2016 I wanted to share 3 plus sized New Year’s Eve looks. I’ve chosen a metallic pleated midi skirt (which I styled two different ways) and a more festive burgundy off the shoulder swing dress. Let’s get started shall we?

First up is the silver/pewter skirt in the size xl from Charlotte Russe paired with a basic gray tee from Old Navy. Mixing casual and dressy pieces is always a good idea, especially if you don’t have major plans or just simply prefer a more casual look with a touch of sparkle. To add a pop of color I chose a small red bag. This outfit could also be jazzed up a bit with a low chunky heel, or kept more low key with tennis shoes or flat sandals as I the ones I wore.



Next up is the same skirt with a velvet hunter green bralette (1x) which is also from Charlotte Russe. I am obsessed with anything velvet, the material has such a luxurious look and feel to it. Once again pairing different textured fabrics creates such a lovely juxtaposition. For this look I added my trusty pointy ankle wrapped Sam Edelman shoes from Target.


Last but certainly not least is a Burgundy velvet off the shoulder dress from Forever 21 (plus). The heart shaped top is perfect for busty girls as it frames in all the right places. I also love the swing style from the waist down as it helps create the illusion of hips. I once again wore my black shoes, along with some fun new year accessories.


Want to know the best part of all? All of the clothing items are under $25! Huge steal right? Hope you all enjoyed this post.

Wishing everyone a wonderful start to a brand new year! 2017 here we come!

Metallic Skirt

Velvet Bralette

* Similar Velvet Dress

xx, Gwen

Ari’s Cali Edition

 

A Golden State of Mind…..

So the time has come to recap both of our magnificent trips to the golden state, California! I (Ari) have visited the cities of Sacramento and San Francisco before and my sister Gwen had never been. Both of us embarked on the journey to the west coast for some birthday celebrations and all around good times with friends. Below is a compiled list of some places I thought were worth checking out if you are ever in the Los Angeles area. Stay tuned for part two where Gwen covers San Diego and more!

Grub:

California foodies did not disappoint! Here were some eateries I thought were yummy.

  • Grand Central Market- This plaza is extremely popular for some famous eateries like Egg Slut and Ramen Hood but don’t count out any of the others! “ress brothers juicer”gives you the pick me up you need after the long flight to Cali from the east coast. “Saritas Pupuseria” and “Tacos Tumbras a Tomas” both give you a taste of the local latin flair for those who are money savvy and want the most bang for their buck!
  • In and Out– Need I say more?
  • Candela Taco Bar & Lounge- Located on La Brea avenue this place offers great food including specials and promotions like “margarita mondays, tango tuesdays and taco wednesdays. With live music and performances you cannot beat the authenticity and price of this special bar.
  • Cj’s Cafe– With its seemingly small exterior it might be easy to miss this cafe, but it could be hands down one of the yummiest casual spots yet! Cj’s serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and fresh juices!  The menu ranges from traditional american fare to mexican and beyond. The staff was extremely accommodating and friendly and the food was delicious. Try the huevos rancheros for breakfast and watermelon/ cantaloupe fresh juice the morning after a night out.

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Tourist Attractions

  • Lacma– Known for its popularity amongst bloggers, you can’t help but at least admire the instillation and relax with friends on a chilly evening amongst the lights.
  • Griffith Observatory-This free attraction is amazing for panoramic views of the city including the Hollywood Sign. You can also visit the planetarium and explore the exhibits during regular hours.
  • Venice Beach & Santa Monica Pier– These are must sees anytime you go to LA. They both represent the quintessential Cali lifestyle and leisure we all know and love, surf sand beach!
  • La City Hall Observation Deck– Although most may not know it, if you go to city hall and get a free visitors pass you can go to the top of the roof where they offer amazing views of the city from a different perspective. Its free and easy!

Night Life

  • Sunset Blvd- Bar hopping galore! “Fiesta Cantina” was a great spot to grab a drink. Not for the faint of heart, “Flaming Saddles” is a Gay bar catering to scantily clad men in tightey whitey underwear- yes please!
  • The Arglye Hollywood Nightclub- This swanky spot is perfect to get dressed up and sexy with your girls to dance the night away.img_7063

This was just a short list as I’m sure LA has so much more to offer. Stay tuned for my sisters secondary post on her favorite spots in other cities.

XOXO -ARI

 

 

 

“A Bloggers Thanksgiving”- Top 6 Fashion Items We Are Thankful For

As bloggers we are both inclined to always try new trends or styles in order to consistently stay abreast of all the latest and greatest. Although we love shopping and reviewing new things, there are those constant tried and true items that will always be staples in our lives and really stand the test of time. Here are our top 6 fashion items we are grateful exist in this world that make us look and feel our very best.

Top 6 things Ari & Gwen are grateful for this year-

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  1. Peplums/A-lines cuts- Neither of us were born with any God given curves on the bottom half and so we fake it till we make it! Peplums do a great job at hiding the tummy while giving the illusion of curves on the sides. A-lines cinch you in at your smallest point and then give the illusion of hips with the free flowing nature of the cut.
  2. V-Neck- Whether it be in the form of a dress or top V-necks work great to elongate the neck and show off our greatest assets. Having a bigger chest sometimes makes it hard to rock a standard rounded collar because it may mess with your proportions.
  3. Booties- As we both get older booties are taking the spotlight for most settings. Whether they are suede, leather or have some cut-outs they can be so versatile and much more comfortable than the alternative while still offering a polished look.
  4. Nude Sandals/Heels- For when it is absolutely required to rock a heel you cannot go wrong with a nude staple sandal. We love a matte leather finish that can transition from the work place to night with ease. Can we also say legs for days?
  5. Shapewear- We could write an entire blog post about this (we probably will sometime in the future). Not only does it suck you in all the wrong places, it also helps lift and accentuate the parts you are happy with. Not to mention it helps conceal your body with any sheer clothing and avoid that dreaded belly button outline we all hate.
  6. Denim/Leather/Anorak Jacket- You guys get the hint, basically any jacket will do! Not only do they keep you warmer in cooler temps but they also complete a look in a way that no other item can. Drape it over your shoulders, tie it around your waist or keep it on your body the old fashioned way, a jacket can dramatically change the entire look of an outfit from boring to fabulous.

All in all we are thankful for one another and our families and can’t wait to reunite for Christmas. Our blog is going in a great direction and we cannot wait to see what the future will bring.

Love Ari & Gwen

Concert OOTN

The infamous and all-encompassing Dominican artist Juan Luis Guerra came into town and you better believe I was there! Concerts are some of the best events to express your creativity. While it’s always fun to throw on the latest trending styles it’s also important to keep comfort in mind (at least for me) when planning to be on your feet for so long. I chose to go for a simple look that I knew would complement the environment I would be in. Juan Luis Guerra sings merengue, bachata, and beautiful love ballads sure to attract an older more mature crowd. This wasn’t the place to bring out my full on sexy vibes. Thinking about the crowd is important in assessing your outfit. I went with a simple body con striped dress with camel colored detailing on the elbow. This tucked me in (along with some much needed shapewear) showing off a little bit without being over the top. This nautical inspired dress was purchased at TJMAXX and is from the brand Monteau. The oxford shoes pictured, I’ve had for ages and are from Forever 21. I am sure for this upcoming fall season they will have an awesome selection of boots I can’t wait to get my hands on! For any future concerts you may attend keep these simple things in mind

  • Consider the environment when choosing your outfit
  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Don’t forget any “fan” items that may help get you noticed! – I forgot my Dominican flag and regretted it!
  • Have fun and be in the moment! –Try your best to put the phones down, set a limit on pictures and videos allowed.

Hope this outfit of the day gives some inspiration for any future events, Juan Luis rocked the house and it was amazing! Check out the pics below.

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Toodles, Ari

Teen Vogue BTSS Event Turnout

Below are the pictures I was able to get before and after the Sierra Marie youtube star mayhem ensued at the Teen Vogue back to school event at the Florida mall. As I previously blogged I was chosen for the VIP portion and was able to get a sneak peak into all the fun prior to the panel fashion show. I am so glad I was able to attend and receive goodies and a gift card to be able to implement some of the inspiration displayed at the event. Whether it be the 70’s vibe or mixing and matching prints (my favorite) this school year is sure to be one for the books! You to can be VIP at a teen vogue BTSS event at a mall near you! It was amazing to meet Elaine Welteroth (teen vogue beauty and health director) and revisit blogger/stylist Melanie Pace. Check out the link below for the rest of the mall tour and how to apply.

macys btss teen vogue back to school blogger fashion

Jacket- Primark I Shorts-Thrifted I Top- Forever 21

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Props to fellow blogger Kiara Michelle she rocked it! Check her out at kiaramichelle.com

List of Events

Toodles,

Ari

Teen Vogue Back-to-School Saturdays

Although I am far beyond my teen years (Id like to think I can still pass for one) I am still excited to share this event and opportunity with our followers!. The Teen Vogue insiders program provides the inside scoop on trends and events for teen vogue readers and others with like minded interests. They are hosting a series of Back to School events in conjunction with your favorite bloggers and fall trends! Not only do you get to have a sneak peak of fall style, you can also apply for the VIP experience and meet with beauty vlogger Sierra Marie and blogger Melanie Pace. All you have to do is email tvitgirls@gmail.com with the subject line “VIP Experience” and the city in which youT wish to attend. Check out the link below of the shows happening all throughout the month of August and see if your local mall is a host! I will be sure to blog about the VIP experience and show you guys tons of photos after my event August 8 at The Florida Mall. Prizes, giveaways and more, hope to see some of you there!

BACK TO SCHOOL

What are some trends you guys are looking forward to for “back to school”?

-Ari

LIST OF EVENTS

#Madereal 

Its been a few days now since I’ve been back in NY settling in and sorting out the awful jet lag. Since arriving, I’ve been trying to get into the swing of blogging again and figuring out what summer events I will be attending. It just so happened that Ari tagged me on @yoli_stylista’s instagram post advertising the Madereal event. I quickly rsvp’d, as I was sure it would be a great one. 

 “Wearemadereal” is a group of women who work together to empower and inspire other female entrepreneurs. Through hard work, dedication and sacrifices they have collaborated together creating a Vodka, called Made Real. It is designed to bring together driven women, offering a casual and relaxed vibe for those occasions where ideas are being exchanged. 

  

These women live by the motto “We inspire, and get inspired”. I am always glad to be a part of a female dominated movement. It is important that we support each other in all endeavors whether it be blogging, styling and Vodka making. 

The event was a pre Vodka launch, held at the Rooftop at the McCarren Hotel in Williamsburg. Three separate booths were set up, one for nail painting, another for hair styling/ braiding and the last booth had post cards you could write a note to a woman that inspires you and the team would mail it out for you. Such a great idea! The best part of it all was of course the Vodka tasting. My favorite drink was the “Mint Condition”. Here are a few photos I was able to snap (I was enjoying myself a little too much and wasn’t able to capture it all but I hope you all get my drift)        

    
   

So there you have it my friends be sure to follow @wearemadereal on Instagram and stay tuned for more upcoming events. Also be sure to support and purchase a bottle here: Madereal . I am one who isn’t a huge fan of Vodka but I could honestly say it was the smoothest I’ve had in a long time! 

xx Gwen 

Charlotte Tilbury 

Well, Well, Well guess who finally caved and bought some Charlotte Tilbury products. Yes you guessed it, little old me (Gwen). I have been wanting to try some of her products for about a year now but as you may or may not know they are pretty pricey. I am the kind of girl who will save her pennies for a few months and prance my way into a shop excited to bring some new goodies home.

On to the Brand, or shall I say the woman behind the brand. Charlotte Tilbury has been a makeup artist working in the fashion and beauty industry for over 20 years. She attended the Glauca Rossi school of makeup in London, took all of the tips and tricks she has learned and created her own line of skincare and cosmetics. Her products are loved by many celebrities as she often creates the looks for red carpet events and photo shoots. Well then on to what I purchased right?

I picked up the setting powder, blusher, concealer and lipstick. Below you’ll find further description of each product and my final thoughts. Also isn’t the packaging to die for? Such a sucker for anything rose gold!   The Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder is described as a breathable micro-fine powder with soft focus made to blur away lines and imperfections. It also has rose wax and almond oil which keep the skin hydrated. I have been testing this powder out for about two weeks now and I love the velvety texture of it. I also love how it is very lightweight and does not give that sort of caked on powdered look.

The Cheek to Chic swish and pop blusher is meant to provide a youthful flush of color on your cheeks. It has a creamy and buildable formula along with a light flex technology made to provide a luminous finish. I chose the shade Ecstacy and I feel it is a great peachy pink color, especially on sun kissed skin. It it suggested that your swirl your brush around the outer part of the blush blending it towards the temples of your cheek bones, you then pop the middle shade onto the apples of your cheeks (hence the name swish and pop).


The Retoucher Concealer is described to have ultra covering, and color correcting texture with a hydrating complex of black tea which provides moisture to the under eye area. It is also made with a lipo-siliconic compound made to create a natural veil of color blending seamlessly into the skin diminishing the look of lines and pores. I personally think it does a great job at illuminating the under eye area (if you like that Kim Kardashian sort of look as I do) but I have not noticed any of the other claims.

Matte Revolution lipstick is the last item I purchased in the shade “Red Carpet Red“. What’s really unique about this lipstick is the square shaped tip making it a bit easier for application as it mimics a lip brush. It is also infused with lipstick tree and orchard extract which keep your lips hydrated. It was also created with 3D glowing pigments which create the illusion of fuller and wider lips. As a self proclaimed lipstick lover I truly love the formulation of this lipstick. It wears well (for a good 5 hours with mild eating) it does not feel drying and the shade I chose is the perfect red!

Hope you all enjoyed this haul/review of my new found loves. If I had to choose two products out of the four as total must haves they would be the Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder and the Matte Revolution Lipstick. The Blusher and Concealer are products you could find from other inexpensive brands.

These along with her other products are available on her website Charlotte Tilbury . Although I  purchased my items at Selfridges in London because you are able to book an appointment and have a makeup artist apply the products before making your final purchase.

Till my next post,

xx, Gwen

Boo Hoo Deep Plunge Skort Playsuit- Miami Ootn

It’s always so difficult to take pictures while on vacation, especially the type of whirlwind fast paced ones that my family and I love to take. This past weekend I decided to drive down to Miami from Orlando and enjoy some time with friends and loved ones. The sunny beaches and sexy nightlife made it nearly impossible to capture every single outfit. Here is a quick sneak peak of what I wore for a night out on the town. This Boo Hoo royal blue velvet skort play suit is honestly one of my favorite finds as of late. It is extremely comfortable and ready for wear even after being packed up in a suitcase. I just slipped it on and out the door I was! I paired it with these sexy Zara heels (quite the opposite of comfortable). They feature a leopard calf hair design and closure on the arch versus the standard outside of the heel which makes for some interesting toe cleavage and not to mention overall appeal. These sky high babies and gold metallic clutch complimented my plunging neckline appropriate for miami life. Links to items below!

Grace Deep Plunge Velvet Skort Playsuit

Similar Playsuit

Similar Zara Sandals

XOXO – ARI

London Fashion Weekend

Based on the title of this post I am sure you can all guess I was over at London Fashion Weekend and boy did I have loads of fun! Upon arriving I located the tote pick up area (which was filled with amazing goodies as you will see below). I then proceeded to walk around the shops for a bit but not before grabbing some bubbly of course. Here’s a closer look…

I made my way to The Cambridge Satchel Company to check out a bag I’ve been lusting over for quite some time now. I am utterly delighted to say I am now a proud owner of one. I chose the 11 inch classic satchel in oxblood. So gorgeous! They were also offering complimentary engraving, which is such a nice way to add a personal touch to your new love.

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I was also able to sit in on a catwalk show presented by Theoutnet.com in which they show cased this springs most popular trends. Hyper Florals, Shimmer and Shine, Make it Monochrome and That Seventies Show were the four categories demonstrated. Here are some of my favorite looks.

I have been in love with London fashion upon arriving here but being a part of this amazing weekend has taken my love to a higher level!

I leave you with a quick look at my outfit (although it isn’t too visible as I am still wearing my pea coat) Boohoo dress (Similar, the one I am wearing is velvet material), Target Booties.

xx – Gwen